Defence Tech Hub seizing the dual-use business momentum in Espoo, Finland

Defence Tech Hub has quickly seized the defence tech business momentum by creating a dynamic network of dual-use companies in Espoo, Finland. About 50 companies have joined Defence Tech Hub since its launch in early 2025. This makes Defence Tech Hub the densest concentration of defence deep technologies and companies in Finland, with Espoo becoming the go-to Finnish dual-use business ecosystem.

"The biggest benefit is this network. Our members vary from VTT's R2B projects to unicorns like quantum computer manufacturer IQM and soonicorns like satellite company ICEYE," says Ossi Ritvos, Enter Espoo's Senior Business Advisor in charge of the defence sector.

Next steps: what's happening in the near future in Defence Tech Hub?

The rapid development of Defence Tech Hub has stamped Espoo's status as the epicentre of Finnish defence deep tech. Now, the focus is to connect Defence Tech Hub more with foreign venture capital companies and defence and tech corporations.

We aim to bring more international players to Espoo and increase investments in and cooperation with our defence tech ecosystem.

We'll organise a defence track in Knights of Nordics, our biggest event of the year.
We're also strengthening our cooperation with Defence Innovation Network Finland (DEFINE) in Riihimäki, which offers an ecosystem to test and develop new technologies with the Finnish Military.

Offering for international investors and companies?

Defence Tech Hub offers access to the whole defence tech ecosystem in Espoo, Finland, and beyond. Instead of visiting only a handful of companies, Enter Espoo helps investors and corporations to find precisely what they are looking for from the whole ecosystem: startups, corporations, academia, and ecosystem players like accelerators and student communities.

"Most investors know our star companies, but we can offer access to the defence tech ecosystem. For example, early-stage investors may be interested in knowing companies when they're still R2B projects. So, whether you're looking for something specific or want a comprehensive overview of the ecosystem, we can support you," Ritvos says.

Offering for Finnish companies?

For Finnish companies developing dual-use technologies, Defence Tech Hub offers an open community where you can network and learn from peers already selling to the defence industry. You'll also get updates from key players like NATO DIANA and investors, as well as access to defence primes, foreign finance, partners, and clients. As a Defence Tech Hub partner, you'll also get visibility, connections to international defence hubs, and the possibility of joining EU-funded projects.